A sad chapter ended today as disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick accepted a plea deal in court on federal charges of dogfighting.
Vick will be sentenced Dec. 10. He faces up to five years in prison.
Following the court proceeding, Vick spoke to the media, apologizing for his conduct. "First, I want to apologize for all the things that I have done and I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to Commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, Coach Bobby Petrino, and my Atlanta Falcons teammates, for I was not honest and forthright in our discussions," Vick said. "I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself, to say the least. I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts. What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up."
"Dogfighting is a terrible thing. I reject it," he said. "I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to better Michael Vick the person, not the football player."
"I take full responsibility for my actions ... I am totally responsible," added Vick.
In his written plea filed on Friday, Vick admitted to helping kill six to eight pit bulls and supplying money for the dogfighting operation. He denied personally placing any bets or taking any share of any winnings.
Shortly after the announcement, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said, "He has let down his fans, his team, and damaged the reputation of the NFL." Blank says the team would not be cutting Vick at this time because it would not be in the financial best interest of the franchise. But it was clear Vick has played his last game in a Falcons uniform, and quite possibly in the NFL.
Vick was suspended by the NFL indefinitely without pay, following the written plea. The Atlanta Falcons will attempt to reclaim $22 million in bonuses already paid to Vick, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Upon the announcement of the plea deal, Nike terminated Vick's endorsement contract. Vick was dropped by Rawlings sporting goods; Upper Deck trading cards removed all memorabilia autographed by Vick from its online store and announced plans to remove his trading card from NFL sets; and Reebok pulled his jersey off the racks. Analysts have estimated Vick will ultimately lose upwards of $100 million because of his actions.
(See also: Mike Vick: Guilty Until Proven Innocent? Our Readers Can't Stop Talking About It)
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